Summer in Greece, One Page at a Time

What could be more lovely than pairing your travels through Greece with a book inspired by the very places you're exploring? From sun-drenched islands to timeless cities and dramatic mountain landscapes, Greece has long been a muse for its own writers, whose stories capture the country's spirit in all its richness.

If you're looking to immerse yourself even more deeply in your journey, you're in luck. We've curated a selection of some of the finest Greek books available in English, each offering a unique window into the country's history, culture, society, people and landscapes. Whether you're reading on a ferry deck, beneath the shade of an olive tree, or in a bustling village square, these books will bring Greece to life in unforgettable ways.

1946 - 264 pages


@brattyreads

A beloved modern Greek classic, Three Summers is a luminous coming-of-age story set near Athens before the Second World War. Following three sisters, the novel captures their discoveries of love, freedom and the complexities of growing up.

Told through the eyes of the imaginative Katerina, this poetic tale of secrets, family and first experiences celebrates the beauty of youth and the changing world around it. Warm, vivid and full of charm, Three Summers is a tender portrait of life, femininity and the spirit of Greece.

2003 - 258 pages


@paperbacktraveller

Set in Athens, Why I Killed My Best Friend is a sharp exploration of friendship, identity and the journey from childhood to adulthood. Maria, a young girl uprooted from Africa and sent to Greece, finds an unexpected connection with Anna, a rebellious outsider whose world is entirely different from her own.

Spanning decades from post-dictatorship Greece to the present day, Michalopoulou traces a complex friendship shaped by love, rivalry, politics and ambition. A beautifully observed portrait of a lifelong bond, the novel explores the fragile balance between loyalty, conflict and the ties that are impossible to escape.

1939 - 272 pages


@top_shelf_books

Set on the outskirts of Athens, Serenity is a deeply moving novel about displacement, belonging and the search for a new beginning. Inspired by Ilias Venezis' own experience of migration, the story follows a group of Greek refugees from Asia Minor who, after being uprooted from their homeland, settle in a remote and unfamiliar corner of the coast in 1923.

Written in Venezis' delicate, lyrical style, the novel captures both the pain of exile and the quiet beauty of rebuilding a life. First published in 1937, Serenity remains a profoundly relevant reflection on the universal experience of refugees and the enduring human search for hope, dignity and home.

2010 - 250 pages 


@greenapplebooksonthepark

A powerful collection of short stories set between Athens and Piraeus, Something Will Happen, You’ll See offers a moving portrait of everyday life during the Greek economic crisis. Ikonomou gives a voice to those facing hardship, from unemployed workers to families struggling to survive, while revealing the resilience, solidarity and humanity that endure beneath the difficulties.

Far from the postcard image of Greece, these stories explore neglected urban landscapes where uncertainty and hope exist side by side. With tenderness, humour and striking realism, Ikonomou captures the struggles, dreams and small moments of beauty found in ordinary lives.

1963 - 303 pages 


@bookshophoward

A landmark of post-war Greek literature, The Third Wedding is a vivid portrait of Greece through the lives of two women, Ekavi and Nina. Spanning the years before and after the Second World War in Athens and Salonic, the novel captures their joys, struggles, romances and losses as they navigate a changing society.

Part family saga, part social history, Taktsis offers a warm and honest portrayal of Greek women, their resilience and their determination to hold their families together through times of hardship. Rich with humour, emotion and insight, The Third Wedding remains a powerful celebration of love, identity and the complexities of human relationships.

2012 - 246 pages

Set between post-war and contemporary Thessaloniki, The Scapegoat is a compelling historical novel inspired by the real-life murder of American journalist George Polk in 1948. When a local reporter is convicted of the crime and later claims his confession was extracted through torture, the case appears destined to remain one of Greece's great unsolved mysteries.

Decades later, a reluctant secondary school student is tasked with uncovering the truth for a history project, setting in motion an investigation that reveals long-buried secrets about justice, politics and his own family. Told through multiple perspectives, The Scapegoat skilfully intertwines personal stories with one of modern Greece's most controversial historical events. For visitors to Thessaloniki, it offers a fascinating insight into the city's complex past while exploring timeless questions of truth, memory and the enduring weight of history.

1936 - 384 pages


@aiorabooks

Set on Syros in the early twentieth century, The Great Chimera is a powerful modern Greek tragedy exploring love, identity and the clash between different worlds. Marina, a young French woman seeking a new life, follows her Greek sea captain husband to the Aegean, where she becomes captivated by the island and its culture.

But as her dreams of belonging begin to unravel, she is drawn into a devastating journey of passion, obsession and loss. Rich in psychological depth, Karagatsis’ celebrated novel is a haunting exploration of desire, identity and the illusions we create for ourselves.

1855 - 152 pages


@mygreeknotes

A classic of early Greek crime fiction, The Notary transports readers to the island of Cephalonia on the eve of the Greek Revolution of 1821. At the centre of this tale of suspense and intrigue are a wealthy count on his deathbed, his reckless and pleasure-seeking nephew, an honourable young clerk, and a cunning notary determined to secure his daughter's future at any cost.

Filled with secrets, betrayal, romance and murder, Rangavis' novel combines the atmosphere of a historical drama with the twists and tension of a mystery. Often considered Greece's contribution to the tradition of nineteenth-century detective fiction alongside writers such as E.T.A. Hoffmann, Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins, The Notary offers a fascinating glimpse into Cephalonia's society at a moment of great historical change.

1997 - 288 pages 

@reading.cities

Set on the island of Andros, The Jasmine Isle is a sweeping family saga that captures the joys, struggles and passions of a Greek island community across half a century of modern history. At its heart is Orsa Saltaferos, a young woman whose life is shaped by duty, family expectations and a love she is forced to leave behind. Under the strict control of her formidable mother Mina, Orsa must marry a man she does not love while watching the man she longs for choose another path.

With the rhythm of the sea always present, Karystiani tells a story of sailors who disappear for months at a time and the women who remain behind, finding strength, comfort and companionship in one another. Rich with the atmosphere of Andros' maritime traditions, the novel explores love, loss, fate and female resilience. Both a tender portrait of island life and a modern echo of ancient Greek tragedy, The Jasmine Isle is a beautifully crafted tale of passion, family and the enduring bonds between women.

1903 - 144 pages 


@justinereadsalot

Set on the island of Skiathos in the late nineteenth century, The Murderess is a haunting masterpiece by one of Greece's greatest literary voices. Its unforgettable heroine, Hadoula, is driven to rebel against the harsh fate awaiting women in her traditional island community, with devastating consequences.

Against the backdrop of Skiathos' natural beauty, Papadiamandis explores morality, guilt, faith and the human conscience with a psychological depth often compared to Dostoyevsky. Visitors to the island should also seek out Fey Folk: A Tale from Skiathos, another evocative work inspired by the author's beloved homeland.

A Magical Introduction To Greece For younger readers

2009 - 144 pages

For younger travellers and curious minds, Alki Zei's stories offer a wonderful way to discover Greece through the eyes of a child. In this charming tale, ten-year-old Antonis lives in Athens and spends much of his time with his grandfather Marios, a talented retired actor with a gift for storytelling. Between homemade pancakes, visits to the Acropolis and conversations beneath the stars, Grandfather shares tales of his extraordinary life and adventures.

But Antonis is not always convinced by these incredible stories. Some seem too unbelievable to be true – especially as his grandmother is mysteriously absent from every single one. Could Grandfather really be telling the truth, or is he simply a wonderful storyteller?

2018 - 332 pages 

If you've ever been warned never to meet your heroes, A Collar for Cerberus puts that advice to the test. The novel follows a young English graduate who travels to Greece in search of inspiration and the chance to meet his literary idol, the brilliant yet notoriously cantankerous Nobel Prize-winning author Irakles Bastounis. Instead, he finds himself driving the ageing writer across the country on an unpredictable road trip packed with unforgettable landscapes, remarkable food and larger-than-life characters.

As the journey unfolds, so do the mysteries surrounding Bastounis. Is he still battling old demons? Is he secretly researching one last masterpiece? And why does it feel as though someone is always watching? By turns witty, philosophical and adventurous, this is a story about time, pleasure and the choices that shape our lives, all set against the spectacular backdrop of some of Greece's most captivating destinations.

2024 - 261 pages 


@summersdalebooks

Part travel memoir, part personal journey, Enchanted Islands follows Laura Coffey as she sets out to explore the islands believed to have inspired Homer's Odyssey. What begins as an escape in the wake of heartbreak and her father's illness gradually becomes a six-month voyage through remote archipelagos where myth and geography intertwine. As she searches for the landscapes that may have shaped Odysseus' legendary adventures, Coffey discovers not only the wild beauty of the Greek islands but also the restorative power of travel, nature and slow exploration. Filled with invigorating swims, mountain hikes and magical, star-filled nights, it's an inspiring read for anyone eager to experience Greece through the lens of both mythology and modern adventure.

2004 - 276 pages 

Part memoir, part love letter to Athens, Eurydice Street follows Sofka Zinovieff as she swaps life in Britain for the Greek capital with her husband and two daughters. With warmth, wit and sharp observation, she recounts the family's first year navigating everything from Greek bureaucracy and school life to the city's wonderfully unpredictable rhythms. Along the way, Zinovieff uncovers the layers of Athens' rich history while embracing the quirks of everyday life – from hailing a taxi to celebrating Christmas the Greek way. It's an engaging and often humorous read that offers an intimate glimpse into modern Athens beyond the guidebooks.

1994 - 437 pages

If Kefalonia is on your itinerary, Captain Corelli's Mandolin is the perfect companion. Set on the idyllic Ionian island during the Second World War, Louis de Bernières' beloved novel weaves together history, romance and humour against the backdrop of the Italian and German occupation of Greece. At its heart is the unforgettable love triangle between Pelagia, her fiancé Mandras and the charismatic Italian officer Captain Antonio Corelli. Rich in memorable characters and deeply evocative of Kefalonia's landscape and spirit, this modern classic offers a moving portrait of Greece in one of the most turbulent periods of its history. 

2011 - 242 pages

Dreaming of escaping to Skiathos? Act III is a charming memoir about embracing life's next chapter and daring to start over. Hollywood actor and screenwriter Richard Romanus and his wife leave behind the glamour of Los Angeles, sell almost everything they own, and set off with their beloved standard poodle, Guido, in search of a simpler, more meaningful life.

Their journey eventually leads them to the idyllic island of Skiathos, where they discover that paradise is found not in perfection but in the pleasures of everyday island life. Warm, witty and deeply uplifting, this is an affectionate account of reinvention, friendship and the joy of slowing down in one of the Aegean's most enchanting settings.


@aiorabooks